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Toxic waste could wipe out dolphins

THE future of Scotland’s dolphin and porpoise populations is at risk because toxic chemicals are leaking into the sea, inhibiting their ability to breed.

The presence of brominated flame retardants (BFRs), chemicals used in the building, furniture and electronics industries, is so high that the rare mammals are now reproducing every decade, compared with their normal two-year cycle.

Scientists at Aberdeen University, who are conducting an international study, have warned that the species, already threatened by commercial fishing, could be wiped out by damage to the marine environment.

The study, which involves researchers from Scotland, Ireland, France, the Netherlands and Spain, is the most comprehensive research yet into the levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in north-Atlantic sea mammals. Scientists have examined the carcasses of more than 150 harbour porpoises and common, striped and bottlenose dolphins.

Sea mammals are at the greatest risk from the toxic compounds, such as polychlorinated